Philippines Navy's first modern frigates to act as anti-air platforms

Navy's first modern frigates to act as anti-air platforms


By Priam Nepomuceno

MANILA -- Once completed and delivered fully functional in 2020, the two missile-armed frigates contracted from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), will serve as the Navy's first anti-air missile platform.

This was the response of Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad when asked if the PN has any "anti-access or area capability" during the Senate hearing on the Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) last week.

"In the current inventory of the PN, we don’t have capability for aerial denial. Wala pa tayong (We do not have) anti-air missile capability na ship that can hit an incoming aerial object. But except for our frigates supposedly kung ma-deliver (once delivered), ito lang iyong (this will only be the) first time that we will have that capability for aerial denial," he added.

The frigates, now being built by HHI, will be armed with weapons capable of neutralizing surface, sub-surface and air threats aside from capable of electronic warfare.

The above-mentioned ships have a contract of PHP18 billion, including their weapons systems and munitions.

In the FAP hearing, issues concerning the brand of combat management system to be installed were discussed. (PNA)

Original post: pna.gov.ph

Incheon-class frigate

The frigates will be designed as a smaller version of the Incheon-class frigate which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.

According to HHI, the 107 meter frigates will be propelled with a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) propulsion system reaching maximum speeds of 25 knots.

With a projected range of 4,500 nautical miles range at a cruising speed of 15 knots, the ships will be operable up to Sea State 5, it was further said.

The first frigate is scheduled for delivery in 2020.

According to Lloyd’s List, the deal is worth Won370bn ($327.0m).

The construction deal was signed in Manila, Philippines, was attended by Chung Ki-sun, executive vice president of Corporate Planning Office of HHI, Delfin Lorenzana, Philippines’ Defense Secretary and Kim Jai- shin, Korean Ambassador to Philippines. Source: navaltoday.com

Source: wikiwand.com